Jorge's(A) crusade to the fabled kingdom of PresterJohn(J) DBB-C --- Allied AAR

Post descriptions of your brilliant victories and unfortunate defeats here.

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Jorge_Stanbury
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RE: September 3rd: Surprise attack at Baker Is

Post by Jorge_Stanbury »

Moving on into better news, Asansol was captured and the trapped 113th Infantry Regiment/ 44th Field AA Battalion is destroyed. With them gone, the kill count in India is as follow:

21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
57th Field AA Battalion
8th Tank Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
113th Infantry Regiment
44th Field AA Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion


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Ground combat at 54,31 (near Patna)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4005 troops, 78 guns, 60 vehicles, Assault Value = 157

Defending force 1996 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4

Allied adjusted assault: 246

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 246 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
2355 casualties reported
Squads: 30 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 176 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 44 (44 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
25th Australian Brigade
3rd Carabiniers Regiment

Defending units:
113th Infantry Regiment
44th Field AA Battalion

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Jorge_Stanbury
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RE: September 3rd: Surprise attack at Baker Is

Post by Jorge_Stanbury »

The situation is:

- I have paratroops on Raipur.
- I just re-based transports from Hyderabad to Raipur

would they fly a "Troop Transport" mission this next turn? in other words, are rebased planes capable of fulfill missions?

I can see planes, but not troops at Calcutta... there is a chance of killing several planes if all troops left.
of course there is also a chance of sending the paras to their death.. and having the USA flag on Calcutta will mean no restricted airplanes allowed

thoughts??
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jwolf
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RE: September 3rd: Surprise attack at Baker Is

Post by jwolf »

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

and having the USA flag on Calcutta will mean no restricted airplanes allowed

I can't comment on the tactical dilemma -- not enough experience, sorry -- but this base ownership rule seems very perverse to me. Has there ever been official commentary -- that is, directly or indirectly from the devs -- why they wrote it this way? If Calcutta is liberated, why should it ever be anything but British control? [&:]

You have really turned the India theater completely around during the past two months or so. As a fellow Allied player, it has been a pleasure to see your careful strategy and tactics bear fruit during this time. Question: with the Japanese reeling here in India, is there any other theater (not counting China) where they still threaten an offense? I'm just wondering if they are conceding India in order to save strength for a big push somewhere else.
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ny59giants
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RE: September 3rd: Surprise attack at Baker Is

Post by ny59giants »

Having an American flag on a coastal base will help later on by allowing you to spend supplies to purchase PT Boats.
[center]Image[/center]
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Jorge_Stanbury
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RE: September 3rd: Surprise attack at Baker Is

Post by Jorge_Stanbury »

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Having an American flag on a coastal base will help later on by allowing you to spend supplies to purchase PT Boats.

I didn't think about it; thanks!!

I can still build Dacca or Comilla for those restricted British airplanes
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Jorge_Stanbury
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RE: September 3rd: Surprise attack at Baker Is

Post by Jorge_Stanbury »

ORIGINAL: jwolf
Question: with the Japanese reeling here in India, is there any other theater (not counting China) where they still threaten an offense? I'm just wondering if they are conceding India in order to save strength for a big push somewhere else.

Thanks!
I don't know, I haven't seen any indication of intent in either the Pacific or Australia... if he is planning it, then it will be a big surprise for me too

That said, I have seen indications of heavy building on the Salomons, airbases, ports are getting upgraded regularly in places like Kirakira, Namatanai or Rossel Island.. this indicates he is getting ready for defending that area instead of keep pushing west.

Also important to mention, we are playing DaBabes-C version of scenario 1 and it is September: most of the very aggresive Japanese conquests are done with scenario 2; I am neither saying it is impossible, nor becoming complacent, but maybe he is just getting ready for the coming Allied storm?

One final point: although he is a very skilled player, he is not too active in the forum... meaning he might not been exposed to the crazy, uber aggressive Japanese play style that is so fashionable these days
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Jorge_Stanbury
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September 4th: Stars& Stripes raised over Calcutta

Post by Jorge_Stanbury »

I don't have the turn yet, only the combat replay:

- Calcutta was succesfully captured by USA Paras
- All Japanese planes and troops were evacuated; so no big win there
- I sent P-38s to sweep and B-17s to bomb Calcutta's airbase; this was in anticipation of Japanese fighters still based there; the idea was to capture it with as many grounded planes as possible. Obviously it didn't work, but I am not concerned. I will repair damage quickly
Image

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Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 23 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17D Fortress x 14
B-17E Fortress x 60
B-17F Fortress x 12
LB-30 Liberator x 4
B-24D Liberator x 3

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 29

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
10 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x LB-30 Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-17D Fortress bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 3
B-24D Liberator x 13

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 15000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 23

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
12 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb


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Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 14

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb
7 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 15000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 4 x 500 lb GP Bomb


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Ground combat at Calcutta (52,37)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 729 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 28

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Allied adjusted assault: 12

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 12 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied forces CAPTURE Calcutta !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
1st USMC Parachute Bn /1
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jwolf
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RE: September 4th: Stars& Stripes raised over Calcutta

Post by jwolf »

Great news, and a huge break! Where do you think he will try to stand -- along the Imphal line at the border?
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Jorge_Stanbury
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RE: September 4th: Stars& Stripes raised over Calcutta

Post by Jorge_Stanbury »

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Great news, and a huge break! Where do you think he will try to stand -- along the Imphal line at the border?

I would guess he won't stop fleeing until he reaches Burma. Bangladesh is a poor choice for a stand:

- No supply generation in Bangladesh other than the light industry on the very easy to grab Chittagong and Dacca
- No road between Bangladesh and Burma, thus any retreat would be painfully slow under heavy air bombing
- Few, underdeveloped airbases in Bangladesh: only Ledo, Imphal and Akyab are at L3 all others are either L1 or L2
- Few, underdeveloped airbases in Burma: only Rangoon is a real airbase at L7, and it is well south. Looking north, only Prome and Magwe are L3. all others are either L1 or L2

Also, he already left an excellent defense position at Calcutta: L4 fort in heavy urban, L6 airbase, plenty of supply generating heavy and light industry. I can just imagine the very heavy losses in planes and devices I would had incurred had he decided to sacrifice a division and some AA/ ART [;)]

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Jorge_Stanbury
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RE: September 4th: Stars& Stripes raised over Calcutta

Post by Jorge_Stanbury »

Also in the news:
South Dakota torpedoed near San Diego.

So I guess it is one more to the yard at LA. I have the following capital ships offline/ under repair:
- South Dakota system 9, float 11(5), engine 25(12)
- Maryland 5, 16(16), 11(11): at PH. Seriously damaged on Dec 7th, should be ready just before 1943
- Valiant 9, 7(7), 0: at Colombo, torpedoed some time ago. Will be ready soon, but just in time for withdrawal
- Resolution 1, 10(10), 21: at Cape Town, severely damaged during the battle of Andaman. will take a while to repair
- Revenge 0, 34(34), 0: off map moving to Cape Town, torpedoed at Diego Garcia while defending Hermes. will also take a while to repair
- Hermes 13, 52(52), 9(9): getting emergency repairs at a classified location. Once system damage is fully repaired, it will go to a shipyard.

Capital ships sunk are:
BC Repulse, BB Ramillies, BB Royal Sovereign



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ASW attack near Santa Catalina Is at 222,81

Japanese Ships
SS I-17, hits 2

Allied Ships
BB South Dakota, Torpedo hits 1
AO Sabine
AO Neosho
SC-705
SC-704
SC-703

SS I-17 launches 6 torpedoes at BB South Dakota
I-17 diving deep ....
SC-705 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC-704 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-703 fails to find sub and abandons search
SC-704 attacking submerged sub ....
SC-704 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-704 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-704 attacking submerged sub ....
SC-704 loses contact with SS I-17
SC-704 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
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Mike McCreery
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RE: September 4th: Stars& Stripes raised over Calcutta

Post by Mike McCreery »

When I was in school I was taught South Dakota was nowhere near San Diego...

Darn public education!!!
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vicberg
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RE: September 4th: Stars& Stripes raised over Calcutta

Post by vicberg »

Thanks!
vicberg
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RE: September 4th: Stars& Stripes raised over Calcutta

Post by vicberg »

What you learned in school was revisionist history based on the results above.
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Jorge_Stanbury
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RE: September 4th: Stars& Stripes raised over Calcutta

Post by Jorge_Stanbury »

Well, geography is abstracted [:)]
vicberg
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RE: September 4th: Stars& Stripes raised over Calcutta

Post by vicberg »

More revisionist thinking. [:D]
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Jorge_Stanbury
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September 5th: Kumano torpedoed

Post by Jorge_Stanbury »

Highlight of today's turn:

- Kumano torpedoes in the Malacca strait... was it getting in or out of the Indian Ocean??? hum
- Another IJA victim: 14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion destroyed
- Recon over Chittagong confirms Japanese retreat out of Bangladesh. I hope airfields will repair soon.. then the fun will start

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Sub attack near Port Swettenham at 48,80

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CL Naka
CL Sendai
DD Isokaze
DD Makigumo
DD Michishio
DD Asashio
DD Amatsukaze

Allied Ships
SS Sealion, hits 1

SS Sealion launches 4 torpedoes at CA Kumano
DD Michishio attacking submerged sub ....
DD Asashio fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Amatsukaze fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Michishio fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

Ground combat at 45,36 (near Vizagapatnam)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 996 troops, 8 guns, 44 vehicles, Assault Value = 28

Defending force 102 troops, 12 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Allied adjusted assault: 50

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 50 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), disruption(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+)

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 15 (15 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (14 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
7th Cav Recce Regiment

Defending units:
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

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Jorge_Stanbury
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September 6th: last straggler destroyed

Post by Jorge_Stanbury »

3rd turn of the day, we are rolling!!

I think I killed 3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment; I had several air strikes, each consistently destroying devices.. I can't see it now in the map. I have a few LCUs moving to investigate, just in case as I don't want to see Japanese troops blocking railways

After adding 3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment; the final tally of enemy LCU killed in India is at 10:
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
57th Field AA Battalion
8th Tank Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
113th Infantry Regiment
44th Field AA Battalion
5th Mortar Battalion
14th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment

What else is new?
- TK Ceram Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
- Indian railroads are busy moving lots and lots of troops to Calcutta

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Morning Air attack on 3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment, at 50,33 , near Jamshedpur

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 25
Wellington Ic x 3
B-25C Mitchell x 6
B-26 Marauder x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (7 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Blenheim IV bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
10 x Blenheim IV bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 lb GP Bomb
3 x Wellington Ic bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing from 2000 feet
Ground Attack: 6 x 500 lb GP Bomb
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Jorge_Stanbury
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Sept 9: Air battles over Calcutta/ Asansol/ Rajshashi

Post by Jorge_Stanbury »

One of the war's biggest air battles took place on Calcutta, Asansol and Rajshashi. Allied losses were heavy, Asansol in particular, but at last I found a way to fight those damned Tojos: As comrade Stalin could had said "Quantity has a quality all its own"

Asansol was a mistake, I put one squadron (25 P-400s) a turn ago, they were doing LRCAP over the advancing Allied tanks. I should had moved them out, once Calcutta was captured.
I think he noticed them and sent his "sweeps of destruction"

Exactly the same mistake at Rajshashi, but in reduced scale, 16 Hurricane IIB were providing LRCAP, and half of the squadron reacted to Zeroes sweeping.. Lesson learnt, I need to avoid fighting in small squadrons until I re-gain quality advantage or at least parity.

Calcutta was a big win: I made use of the relatively big (L6) airbase by filling it with fighters; including all my elite P-38 squadrons results were good, I will say the combat report is relatively accurate, maybe take out 2 or 3 Tojos due to FOW:
Image

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Morning Air attack on Asansol , at 53,34

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 14

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
23rd FG/76th FS with P-400 Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 17 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes


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Morning Air attack on Asansol , at 53,34

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 18

Allied aircraft
P-400 Airacobra x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
P-400 Airacobra: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
23rd FG/76th FS with P-400 Airacobra (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 63 minutes


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Morning Air attack on Asansol , at 53,34

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.615 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 16000.
Raid is overhead



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Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 103 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 12
Hurricane IIc Trop x 70
P-38E Lightning x 38
P-38F Lightning x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

CAP engaged:
No.34 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 27000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
No.155 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 39 minutes
No.261 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
No.607 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
51st FG/16th FS with P-38F Lightning (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
23rd FG/74th FS with P-38E Lightning (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 6 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
23rd FG/75th FS with P-38E Lightning (2 airborne, 14 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
No.615 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
Group patrol altitude is 16000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Rajshashi , at 55,35

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 27

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 4 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
26 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet *

CAP engaged:
No.79 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Asansol , at 53,34

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 1

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Ki-44-IIa Tojo sweeping at 15000 feet

CAP engaged:
No.615 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes


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Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 27

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 11
Hurricane IIc Trop x 66
P-38E Lightning x 37
P-38F Lightning x 23

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIc Trop: 1 destroyed

CAP engaged:
No.34 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (3 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 21000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 2 minutes
No.67 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIb Trop (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 21000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 27 minutes
No.155 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
10 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 31 minutes
No.261 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (2 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 5 minutes
No.607 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (3 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
9 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 6 minutes
51st FG/16th FS with P-38F Lightning (4 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
20 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
23rd FG/74th FS with P-38E Lightning (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
12 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes
23rd FG/75th FS with P-38E Lightning (2 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
14 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 3 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 23000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
No.615 Sqn RAF with Hurricane IIc Trop (0 airborne, 6 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 12 minutes
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Jorge_Stanbury
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Joined: Wed Feb 29, 2012 12:57 pm
Location: Montreal

Air war in India: The British

Post by Jorge_Stanbury »

With the introduction of Ki-44-IIa "Tojo", the war has take a turn for the worst. The days of Oscars and relative parity in losses are gone. Thus I need to be more careful on how to deal with this threat while maintaining the offensive.

The first question is what kind of air to air capabilities do I have available in India? what else can be brought? what reinforcements are in the pipeline? and the answer starts with the British Empire's capabilities, dominions included, as long as they are based in this theater. There will be another thread about the USAAF:

Pilot Pools: British = 12 pilots, Canadian and Kiwis = 0 pilots.
British pilot training had been a challenge, mainly because they had always been in "action", and since none is restricted, it was tempting to put them to fight from day one, and train only when they could.
Canadians/ Kiwis: I have no pools, but many idle squadrons in Canada/ NZ/ Fiji doing nothing but training; thus I can pull pilots easily when needed for the few squadrons in India.

Training squadrons
I have 2 British squadrons as dedicated trainers (located at Melbourne and Hyderabad), both equipped with Hurricane I and at full strength (16 planes, 21 pilot each. Pilot quality still very green.
EDIT: as per this review, I decided to add a 3rd squadron

Combat squadrons
I have all combat squadrons with relatively good quality pilots, most in the 50s to 60s experience, late 60s to early 70s air skill. The total number of squadrons, by plane type are:
EDIT: as per this review, I added the 2 Canadian carrier capable squadrons

Hurricane IIA:
1 squadron, 16 planes, 10 in pool. not in production

Hurricane IIB
4 squadrons, 64 planes, 10 in pool. not in production

Hurricane IIC
7 squadrons, 109 planes, 9 in pool. Replace at 36 planes per month until 4/44. Like it or not.. this is going to be the British workhorse for most of the war.

New Zealand squadron
No14 RNZAF is equipped with 12 Hurricane IIBs. I will change them ASAP to Kityhawks, this to increase the British pools.

Carrier capable squadrons
I have 6 carrier capable squadrons, 3 are British, 2 are Canadian, 1 is flying Fulmars. They have well trained pilots. But they are not being used in day to day operations, as their replacement rates are very low and in any case devoted to naval operations like guard naval bases and keeping my last remaining carrier active (to be withdrawn in 117 days).
EDIT: as per this review, I decided to reduce these to only 3. One for each Martlet, Sea Hurricane and Fulmar pools
The 2 Canadian were re-equiped with Hurricane XIIB and will go to the front. One British squadron got Mohawks and is now training pilots


Martlets II
3 squadrons: Canadian 881 FAA with 20 planes on board CV Illustrious. 888 FAA with 10 out of 16 planes and No135 RAF with 16 planes are guarding Colombo. This last squadron will actually change to Hurricanes and move to the Calcutta area, as there are no more Martlets in production. Pool is only 1, but will be enough to keep 2 squadrons. In any case British naval operations will become less and less relevant until Victorious arrives in Feb 43.

Sea Hurricanes
2 squadrons, 1 Canadian, 1 British, each with 15 planes, used to be on board carriers, but they already withdrawn. good quality pilots. Pool is at only 2 planes and replacement rate is horrendous.. so will likely remain guarding naval bases. This of course fits well with their short range.

Another very interesting option I am thinking about is to replace planes for the Canadian squadrons. There are plenty of non carrier capable Hurricane XIIB that can be used in the front line. This way I can use the well trained Canadians without depleting British pools!
EDIT I will do the change; start by resizing them in CV Illustrious, to maybe 20/ 25 planes per squadron, then I will replace their Martlets with Hurricanes XIIBs... then, as soon as pools allow, change one to Kittyhawks III... so to fully utilize the Canadian pool, even Kittyhawk I if needed

Fulmar II
1 squadron, what a dog, used mostly for training or when I need to do something stupidly dangerous like escorting bombers against the KB. Also at Ceylon in guard duty. 12 planes, 44 in pool. Looking forward to changing them with Beaufighters.

Dutch
Finally, I also have around 30 Dutch planes in Bombay, mostly dogs or leftovers: 10 demons, 10 Buffalo B-339, 8 P-40s, 1 Hurricane, 1 Hawk... these are all training, I plan to use them to guard bases in places with minimal risk of enemy fighter opposition, like Ceylon. This will let me move the carrier capable squadrons to somewhere else.

Pipeline
I have one squadron coming in 2 days, No79 RAF with 8 Hurricane IIBs... Nothing else until early 43 for carrier capable squadrons and late 43 for RAF squadrons.
I have no other reinforcements, I guess I can move the squadron located in Australia or even bring some additional dominion fighters (NZ and Australian are available and idle), but this will be a last resort.

Pools
- I have around 200 1st rate fighters, mostly Hurricanes IIA, B and C but also Kittyhawks and Canadian Hurricanes that can be used on specific squadrons
- around 80 carrier capable fighters, but they won't be used offensively as there is little to no replacement.
- Then I have 67 Mohawks, 57 Buffaloes, 10 Hurricane I... I hope I don't need to use them anymore in the front

Some conclusions
- British will need to keep pushing with inadequate Hurricanes IIC for a long time... this means big losses.
- Squadrons are at full strength, and pools are good now, but heavy attrition will certainly bite me soon... I mean I can easily loss 10 to 15 planes in one battle.. this against a replacement rate of 36 Hurricanes IIC can't be a good sign,
- British fighters had lost the quality edge they enjoyed when Oscar was the opposition. This means they will need to be used as cannon fodder, while their better quality American cousins do the killing... more to come on that soon
jwolf
Posts: 2493
Joined: Tue Dec 03, 2013 4:02 pm

RE: Air war in India: The British

Post by jwolf »

For comparison purposes, what kind of production do the Japanese have for the Tojo? I'm wondering what loss ratio would leave things in balance.
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